Department of Criminal Justice

Associate Professor

Email: mdevalve@uncfsu.edu
Phone: (910) 672-2191
Cell:     (910) 489-9157
Office:  Lauretta Taylor Building, Room 308

Educational Background

Ph.D., Criminal Justice,
Sam Houston State University

Areas of Expertise:

• Peace and Peacemaking
• Diversity and Organizational Change in Justice Organizations

Courses teaching:

• CRJC 411
• CRJC 510
• CRJC 590
• CRJC 610

Links of Interest:

• Chesnutt Library Criminal Justice Research Sources
• Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
• American Society of Criminology
• College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University
• Society for Engaged Peacemaking

Michael's publications and current research are in the area of justice organizations and administration, particularly regarding the cultivation of compassion, organizational change, and diversity.  Currently, his scholarly energy is directed toward writing a Criminal Justice Administration textbook, an academic monograph exploring justices if it were predicated upon love, as well as a number of primary research projects.

Michael considers himself to be a facilitator of knowledge, both in the classroom and in his research in collaboration with Criminal Justice agencies.  Preferred courses for Michael include, Introduction to Law Enforcement, Police and Society, Research Methods, Restorative Methods, Restorative Justice, Peacemaking Criminology, Statistics and Criminal Justice Organizations. He has worked in the Criminal Justice field in numerous areas, including evaluation research for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.  Michael is a certified Mediator (North Carolina), and is priviledged to serve on the Board of Directors for the Cumberland County Dispute Resolution Center.  He continues to build research relationships with Criminal Justice agencies, particularly in order to assist the provision of an effective, equitable, and nurturing justice service.

Michael is an active member of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, and along with his father, John Lester II, are members of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity.

On October 16, 2007, Michael was honored to recieve Dharma Transmission from Master Trung Quang Nhat Hanh (Thich Nat Hanh), of the 42nd generation of the Lam Te Dhyana School. Michael's dharma name is "Profound Commitment of the Heart;" he maintains his practice for the benefit of his family, students, and his discipline.  He offers deepest gratitude to all beings; especially to his wife ( Lindsay); daugher (Kinsela); parents (John and Jeanne); all teachers, including Thay and the monastics of Plum Village, Deer Park and Blue Cliff Monasteries, and to all fellow students.